City Comparison
Joliet vs Toledo
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Joliet scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Joliet
Toledo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Toledo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
17% lower than in Joliet.
Housing costs are a major driver: Joliet's average rent is
53% higher than Toledo's.
| Metric | Joliet | Toledo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $950 | +53% |
| Groceries | $380 | $342 | +11% |
| Utilities | $175 | $295 | -41% |
| Transport | $130 | $180 | -28% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $200 | +20% |
| Monthly Total | $2,375 | $1,967 | +21% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Toledo offers 4% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Toledo delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Joliet is estimated at
$52,000 vs $52,000 in Toledo.
| Metric | Joliet | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,500 | $71,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 74,457 idx | 74,737 idx |
| Household Income | $81,200 | $49,724 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Joliet runs warmer on average — a 51.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Joliet comes out ahead with 251 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Joliet sees 26.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Joliet | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 17.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 36.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 26.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 251 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Toledo has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Joliet.
Toledo scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Toledo leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Joliet | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 46.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Toledo is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Joliet.
From a growth perspective, Joliet is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Toledo has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Joliet | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 150,362 | 267,463 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | — |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 35.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.60% | 4.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Joliet
Advantages
Median home prices and rent averages remain significantly more affordable than Chicago and its inner-ring suburbs.
Strategic geographic location at the intersection of I-80 and I-55 drives robust job opportunities in logistics and manufacturing.
Direct Metra commuter rail service on the Rock Island line provides convenient access to downtown Chicago.
Rich cultural and architectural assets, including the historic Rialto Square Theatre and extensive park district facilities.
Strong presence of higher education and healthcare institutions supporting local workforce development and medical access.
Drawbacks
Will County property taxes are among the highest in the nation, impacting overall homeownership costs.
Heavy freight and truck traffic on major regional corridors contributes to roadway wear and localized congestion.
High reliance on automobile transportation with limited public transit coverage outside of core commuter routes.
Crime rates vary significantly by neighborhood, with certain central areas experiencing elevated property and violent crime.
Air quality and environmental concerns occasionally arise due to heavy industrial activity and massive distribution warehouse operations.
Toledo
Advantages
Toledo offers a significantly affordable cost of living, approximately 5% lower than the national average.
The city boasts a thriving arts and cultural scene, highlighted by the world-class Toledo Museum of Art.
Residents have excellent access to nature and outdoor recreation through the extensive Metroparks system, the Maumee River, and Lake Erie.
Toledo has seen significant economic development and business investment, ranking among the top 10 nationally in 2024.
The average commute time in Toledo is relatively short at 19.8 minutes, easing daily travel for residents.
Drawbacks
Toledo has a high violent crime rate, which is significantly above the national average.
The city experiences harsh winters with cold temperatures and notable snowfall.
Toledo's infrastructure, particularly its roads, is often cited as being in poor condition.
Job opportunities in some high-growth sectors may be limited compared to larger metropolitan areas.
Public transportation options in Toledo are considered limited, leading to high car dependency for most errands.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Joliet
#215Illinois, USA
63.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$68,500
Cost Index
92
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
251/yr
Avg Temp
51.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.60%
Livability
72
Business
75
Toledo
#590Ohio, USA
43.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$71,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
46.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.40%
Livability
68
Business
75
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